Is REBOA the Last Card to Control a Massive Gastrointestinal Bleeding?

INTRODUCTION: Resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta (REBOA) is a potential tool for the management of massive gastrointestinal bleeding (MGB). This study aims to describe the experience of the use of REBOA as adjunctive therapy in patients with MGB and to evaluate its effectiveness. METHODS: Serial cases of patients with hemorrhagic shock secondary to MGB in whom REBOA was placed were collected. Patient demographics, bleeding severity, etiology, management, and clinical outcomes were recorded. RESULTS: Between 2017 and 2020, five cases were analyzed. All patients had a severe gastrointestinal bleeding (Glasgow Blatchford Bleeding Score range 12-17; Clinical Rockal Score range 5-9). The etiologies of MGB were perforated gastric or duodenal ulcers, esophageal varices, and vascular lesions. Systolic blood pressure increased after REBOA placement and total occlusion time was 25-60 min. REBOA provided temporary hemorrhage control in all cases and allowed additional hemostatic maneuvers to be performed. Three patients survived more than 24 h. All patients died in index hospitalization. The main cause of death was related to hemorrhagic shock. CONCLUSIONS: Endovascular aortic occlusion can work as a bridge to further resuscitation and attempts at hemostasis in patients with MGB. REBOA provides hemodynamic support and may be used simultaneously with other hemostatic maneuvers, facilitating definitive hemorrhage control.

Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS®) Society Consensus Guidelines for Emergency Laparotomy Part 3: Organizational Aspects and General Considerations for Management of the Emergency Laparotomy Patient.

BACKGROUND: This is Part 3 of the first consensus guidelines for optimal care of patients undergoing emergency laparotomy using an enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) approach. This paper addresses organizational aspects of care. METHODS: Experts in management of the high-risk and emergency general surgical patient were invited to contribute by the International ERAS® Society. PubMed, Cochrane, Embase, and MEDLINE database searches were performed for ERAS elements and relevant specific topics. Studies were selected with particular attention to randomized clinical trials, systematic reviews, meta-analyses and large cohort studies, and reviewed and graded using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation system. Recommendations were made on the best level of evidence, or extrapolation from studies on elective patients when appropriate. A modified Delphi method was used to validate final recommendations. RESULTS: Components of organizational aspects of care were considered. Consensus was reached after three rounds of a modified Delphi process. CONCLUSIONS: These guidelines are based on best current available evidence for organizational aspects of an ERAS® approach to patients undergoing emergency laparotomy and include discussion of less common aspects of care for the surgical patient, including end-of-life issues. These guidelines are not exhaustive but pull together evidence on important components of care for this high-risk patient population. As much of the evidence is extrapolated from elective surgery or emergency general surgery (not specifically laparotomy), many of the components need further evaluation in future studies.

Consensus Guidelines for Perioperative Care for Emergency Laparotomy Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS®) Society Recommendations Part 2-Emergency Laparotomy: Intra- and Postoperative Care.

BACKGROUND: This is Part 2 of the first consensus guidelines for optimal care of patients undergoing emergency laparotomy (EL) using an Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) approach. This paper addresses intra- and postoperative aspects of care. METHODS: Experts in aspects of management of high-risk and emergency general surgical patients were invited to contribute by the International ERAS® Society. PubMed, Cochrane, Embase, and Medline database searches were performed for ERAS elements and relevant specific topics. Studies on each item were selected with particular attention to randomized clinical trials, systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and large cohort studies and reviewed and graded using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) system. Recommendations were made on the best level of evidence, or extrapolation from studies on elective patients when appropriate. A modified Delphi method was used to validate final recommendations. Some ERAS® components covered in other guideline papers are outlined only briefly, with the bulk of the text focusing on key areas pertaining specifically to EL. RESULTS: Twenty-three components of intraoperative and postoperative care were defined. Consensus was reached after three rounds of a modified Delphi Process. CONCLUSIONS: These guidelines are based on best available evidence for an ERAS® approach to patients undergoing EL. These guidelines are not exhaustive but pull together evidence on important components of care for this high-risk patient population. As much of the evidence is extrapolated from elective surgery or emergency general surgery (not specifically laparotomy), many of the components need further evaluation in future studies.

Damage Control Surgery may be a Safe Option for Severe Non-Trauma Peritonitis Management: Proposal of a New Decision-Making Algorithm.

BACKGROUND: Damage control surgery (DCS) has emerged as a new option in the management of non-traumatic peritonitis patients to increase survival in critically ill patients. The purpose of this study was to compare DCS with conventional strategy (anastomosis/ostomies in the index laparotomy) for severe non-traumatic peritonitis regarding postoperative complications, ostomy rate, and mortality and to propose a useful algorithm in the clinical practice. METHODS: Patients who underwent an urgent laparotomy for non-trauma peritonitis at a single level I trauma center in Colombia between January 2003 and December 2018, were retrospectively included. We compared patients who had DCS management versus definitive initial surgical management (DISM) group. We evaluated clinical outcomes and morbidities among groups. RESULTS: 290 patients were included; 81 patients were treated with DCS and 209 patients underwent DISM. Patients treated with DCS had a worse critical status before surgery with higher SOFA score [median, DCS group: 5 (IQR: 3-8) vs. DISM group: 3 (IQR: 1-6), p < 0.001]. The length of hospital stay and overall mortality rate of DCS group were not significant statistical differences with DISM group. Complications rate related to primary anastomosis or primary ostomy was similar. There is not difference in ostomy rate among groups. At multivariate analysis, SOFA > 6 points and APACHE-II > 20 points correlated with a higher probability of DCS. CONCLUSION: DCS in severe non-trauma peritonitis patients is feasible and safe as surgical strategy management without increasing mortality, length hospital of stay, or complications. DCS principles might be applied in the non-trauma scenarios without increase the stoma rate.

Guidelines for Perioperative Care for Emergency Laparotomy Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) Society Recommendations: Part 1-Preoperative: Diagnosis, Rapid Assessment and Optimization.

BACKGROUND: Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocols reduce length of stay, complications and costs for a large number of elective surgical procedures. A similar, structured approach appears to improve outcomes, including mortality, for patients undergoing high-risk emergency general surgery, and specifically emergency laparotomy. These are the first consensus guidelines for optimal care of these patients using an ERAS approach. METHODS: Experts in aspects of management of the high-risk and emergency general surgical patient were invited to contribute by the International ERAS® Society. Pubmed, Cochrane, Embase, and MEDLINE database searches on English language publications were performed for ERAS elements and relevant specific topics. Studies on each item were selected with particular attention to randomized controlled trials, systematic reviews, meta-analyses and large cohort studies, and reviewed and graded using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) system. Recommendations were made on the best level of evidence, or extrapolation from studies on non-emergency patients when appropriate. The Delphi method was used to validate final recommendations. The guideline has been divided into two parts: Part 1-Preoperative Care and Part 2-Intraoperative and Postoperative management. This paper provides guidelines for Part 1. RESULTS: Twelve components of preoperative care were considered. Consensus was reached after three rounds. CONCLUSIONS: These guidelines are based on the best available evidence for an ERAS approach to patients undergoing emergency laparotomy. Initial management is particularly important for patients with sepsis and physiological derangement. These guidelines should be used to improve outcomes for these high-risk patients.

The Challenge of Implementing the "Stop the Bleed" Campaign in Latin America.

BACKGROUND: Currently, several initiatives have emerged to empower the public to act as immediate responders in front of hemorrhaging victims. We aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of implementing the Stop the Bleed campaign and the association between the instructors' background and the theoretical and practical competences achieved by the participants in Latin America. METHODS: Medical students and general surgeons taught both allied health students and nonallied health students at a local university; the training had a master class followed by a practical component and a written test, as well as tourniquet placement was tested. RESULTS: 265 individuals received the training, and data were available for 243. Of these, 126 (52.07%) were women and the median age was 21 (IQR: 20-22) years. 121 (49.79%) were trained by general surgeons (group A) and 122 (50.21%) by medical students (group B). After the training, more than 98% of all participants perceived that they would most likely be capable of aiding correctly a bleeding victim by applying direct pressure and more than 90% of them felt confident in being able to apply a tourniquet. There were no statistically significant differences among both groups when comparing their post-training competence evaluations [Theoretical test score: group A = 5 (IQR: 4-5); group B = 5 (IQR: 4-5); P = 0.41] and [Practical competency of tourniquet deployment: group A = 119 (66.39%) versus group B = 120 (65.83%); P = 0.93]. CONCLUSIONS: The Stop the Bleed campaign can be effectively implemented in Latin America, and it can be taught by prequalified medical students without altering the learning objectives of the course.

Chest Trauma Outcomes: Public Versus Private Level I Trauma Centers.

BACKGROUND: The goal of our study was to evaluate the differences in care and clinical outcomes of patients with chest trauma between two hospitals, including one public trauma center (Pu-TC) and one private trauma center (Pri-TC). METHODS: Patients with thoracic trauma admitted from January 2012 to December 2018 at two level I trauma centers (Pu-TC: Hospital Universitario del Valle, Pri-TC: Fundación Valle del Lili) in Cali, Colombia, were included. Multivariable logistic regression was used to assess for differences in in-hospital mortality, adjusting for relevant demographic and clinical characteristics. RESULTS: A total of 482 patients were identified; 300 (62.2%) at the Pri-TC and 182 (37.8%) at the Pu-TC. Median age was 27 years (IQR 21-36) and median Injury Severity Score was 25 (IQR 16-26). 456 patients (94.6%) were male, and the majority had penetrating trauma [total 465 (96.5%); Pri-TC 287 (95.7%), Pu-TC 179 (98.4%), p 0.08]. All patients arrived at the emergency room with unstable hemodynamics. There were no statistically significant differences in post-operative complications, including retained hemothorax [Pri-TC 19 vs. Pu-TC 18], pneumonia [Pri-TC 14 vs. Pu-TC 14], empyema [Pri-TC 13 vs. Pu-TC 13] and mediastinitis [Pri-TC 6 vs. Pu-TC 2]. Logistic regression did, however, show a higher odds of mortality when patients were treated at the Pu-TC [OR 2.27 (95% CI 1.34-3.87, p < 0.001]. CONCLUSIONS: Our study found significant statistical differences in clinical outcomes between patients treated at a Pu-TC and Pri-TC. The results are intended to stimulate discussions to better understand reasons for outcome variability and ways to reduce it.

Comparison of Epidemiology of the Injuries and Outcomes in Two First-Level Trauma Centers in Colombia Using the Pan-American Trauma Registry System.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to compare the epidemiology of traumatic injuries and mortality outcomes between two tertiary-care trauma centers in Colombia using data from Pan-American Trauma Registry (PATR). METHODS: January 1-December 31, 2012, data from the Hospital Universitario del Valle (HUV, public) and Fundacion Valle del Lili (FVL, private) in Cali, Colombia, were considered. Differences in demographic and clinical information were compared using descriptive statistics. Propensity score matching was used to match patients on age, gender, and ISS. Within matched cohorts, multivariable logistic regression models were used to assess for differences in in-hospital mortality, further adjusting for insurance type, employment, heart rate, presence of hypotension (SBP < 90), and GCS score. RESULTS: HUV (8539; 78% male) and FVL (10,456; 60% male) had a combined total of 18,995 trauma cases in 2012 with comparable mean ages of 29.7 years. There were significant differences in insurance status, injury severity, and mechanism of injury between patients at HUV and FLV. On risk-adjusted logistic regression analyses with propensity score matched cohorts, the odds of death in HUV was higher compared to patients presenting at FVL hospital (OR [95% CI]:4.93 [3.37-7.21], p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The study established the utility of the PATR and revealed important trends in patient demographics, injury epidemiology, and mortality outcomes, which can be used to target trauma initiatives throughout the region. It underscores the profound importance that differences in case mix play in the risk of trauma-related mortality, further emphasizing the need to monitor and evaluate unique aspects of trauma in LMIC. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III.

Critical systolic blood pressure threshold for endovascular aortic occlusion-A multinational analysis to determine when to place a REBOA.

BACKGROUND: Systolic blood pressure (SBP) is a potential indicator that could guide when to use a resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta (REBOA) in trauma patients with life-threatening injuries. This study aims to determine the optimal SBP threshold for REBOA placement by analyzing the association between SBP pre-REBOA and 24-hour mortality in severely injured hemodynamically unstable trauma patients. METHODS: We performed a pooled analysis of the aortic balloon occlusion (ABO) trauma and AORTA registries. These databases record the details related to the use of REBOA and include data from 14 countries worldwide. We included patients who had suffered penetrating and/or blunt trauma. Patients who arrived at the hospital with a SBP pre-REBOA of 0 mm Hg and remained at 0 mm Hg after balloon inflation were excluded. We evaluated the impact that SBP pre-REBOA had on the probability of death in the first 24 hours. RESULTS: A total of 1,107 patients underwent endovascular aortic occlusion, of these, 848 met inclusion criteria. The median age was 44 years (interquartile range [IQR], 27-59 years) and 643 (76%) were male. The median injury severity score was 34 (IQR, 25-45). The median SBP pre-REBOA was 65 mm Hg (IQR, 49-88 mm Hg). Mortality at 24 hours was reported in 279 (32%) patients. Math modeling shows that predicted probabilities of the primary outcome increased steadily in SBP pre-REBOA below 100 mm Hg. Multivariable mixed-effects analysis shows that when SBP pre-REBOA was lower than 60 mm Hg, the risk of death was more than 50% (relative risk, 1.5; 95% confidence interval, 1.17-1.92; p = 0.001). DISCUSSION: In patients who do not respond to initial resuscitation, the use of REBOA in SBPs between 60 mm Hg and 80 mm Hg may be a useful tool in resuscitation efforts before further decompensation or complete cardiovascular collapse. The findings from our study are clinically important as a first step in identifying candidates for REBOA. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Prognostic and Epidemiological; Level IV.

Intra-abdominal infections survival guide: a position statement by the Global Alliance For Infections In Surgery.

Intra-abdominal infections (IAIs) are an important cause of morbidity and mortality in hospital settings worldwide. The cornerstones of IAI management include rapid, accurate diagnostics; timely, adequate source control; appropriate, short-duration antimicrobial therapy administered according to the principles of pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics and antimicrobial stewardship; and hemodynamic and organ functional support with intravenous fluid and adjunctive vasopressor agents for critical illness (sepsis/organ dysfunction or septic shock after correction of hypovolemia). In patients with IAIs, a personalized approach is crucial to optimize outcomes and should be based on multiple aspects that require careful clinical assessment. The anatomic extent of infection, the presumed pathogens involved and risk factors for antimicrobial resistance, the origin and extent of the infection, the patient's clinical condition, and the host's immune status should be assessed continuously to optimize the management of patients with complicated IAIs.

Hypertonic saline infusion does not improve the chance of primary fascial closure after damage control laparotomy: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Previous observational studies showed higher rates of abdominal wall closure with the use of hypertonic saline in trauma patients with abdominal injuries. However, no randomized controlled trials have been performed on this matter. This double-blind randomized clinical trial assessed the effect of 3% hypertonic saline (HS) solution on primary fascial closure and the timing of abdominal wall closure among patients who underwent damage control laparotomy for bleeding control. METHODS: Double-blind randomized clinical trial. Patients with abdominal injuries requiring damage control laparotomy (DCL) were randomly allocated to receive a 72-h infusion (rate: 50 mL/h) of 3% HS or 0.9 N isotonic saline (NS) after the index DCL. The primary endpoint was the proportion of patients with abdominal wall closure in the first seven days after the index DCL. RESULTS: The study was suspended in the first interim analysis because of futility. A total of 52 patients were included. Of these, 27 and 25 were randomly allocated to NS and HS, respectively. There were no significant differences in the rates of abdominal wall closure between groups (HS: 19 [79.2%] vs. NS: 17 [70.8%]; p = 0.71). In contrast, significantly higher hypernatremia rates were observed in the HS group (HS: 11 [44%] vs. NS: 1 [3.7%]; p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: This double-blind randomized clinical trial showed no benefit of HS solution in primary fascial closure rates. Patients randomized to HS had higher sodium concentrations after the first day and were more likely to present hypernatremia. We do not recommend using HS in patients undergoing damage control laparotomy. Trial registration The trial protocol was registered in clinicaltrials.gov (identifier: NCT02542241).

2023 WSES guidelines for the prevention, detection, and management of iatrogenic urinary tract injuries (IUTIs) during emergency digestive surgery.

Iatrogenic urinary tract injury (IUTI) is a severe complication of emergency digestive surgery. It can lead to increased postoperative morbidity and mortality and have a long-term impact on the quality of life. The reported incidence of IUTIs varies greatly among the studies, ranging from 0.3 to 1.5%. Given the high volume of emergency digestive surgery performed worldwide, there is a need for well-defined and effective strategies to prevent and manage IUTIs. Currently, there is a lack of consensus regarding the prevention, detection, and management of IUTIs in the emergency setting. The present guidelines, promoted by the World Society of Emergency Surgery (WSES), were developed following a systematic review of the literature and an international expert panel discussion. The primary aim of these WSES guidelines is to provide evidence-based recommendations to support clinicians and surgeons in the prevention, detection, and management of IUTIs during emergency digestive surgery. The following key aspects were considered: (1) effectiveness of preventive interventions for IUTIs during emergency digestive surgery; (2) intra-operative detection of IUTIs and appropriate management strategies; (3) postoperative detection of IUTIs and appropriate management strategies and timing; and (4) effectiveness of antibiotic therapy (including type and duration) in case of IUTIs.

Maternal hemodynamics during aortic occlusion with REBOA in patients with placenta accreta spectrum disorder.

INTRODUCTION: The effectiveness of resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta (REBOA) in controlling pelvic bleeding has been reported with increasing frequency during surgical management of placenta accreta spectrum (PAS). The deployment of REBOA may lead to significant variations in vital signs requiring special care by anesthesiology during surgery. These modifications of blood pressure by REBOA in PAS patients have not been accurately documented. We report the changes in blood pressure that occur when the aorta is occluded and then released in patients with PAS. METHODOLOGY: This prospective, observational study includes 10 patients with preoperative PAS suspicion who underwent prophylactic REBOA device insertion between April 2018 and October 2019. REBOA procedural-related data and blood pressure fluctuations under invasive monitoring before and after inflation and deflation were recorded in the operating room. RESULTS: After prophylactic REBOA deployment in zone 3 of the aorta in PAS patients, we observed a transitory increase in blood pressure (median increase of 22.5 mmHg in SBP and 9.5 mmHg in DBP), which reached severe hypertension (SBP >160 mmHg) in 50% of patients. All patients presented a decrease in blood pressure after the removal of the aortic occlusion (median decrease of 23 mmHg in SBP and 10.5 mmHg in DBP), and 50% (five patients) required the administration of vasopressor drugs. CONCLUSION: Immediately after aortic occlusion is applied in zone 3 in PAS patients and after the occlusion is removed, significant hemodynamic changes occur, which often lead to therapeutic interventions.

Risk factors for posttraumatic empyema in diaphragmatic injuries.

BACKGROUND: Penetrating diaphragmatic injuries are associated with a high incidence of posttraumatic empyema. We analyzed the contribution of trauma severity, specific organ injury, contamination severity, and surgical management to the risk of posttraumatic empyema in patients who underwent surgical repair of diaphragmatic injuries at a level 1 trauma center. METHODS: This is a retrospective review of the patients who survived more than 48 h. Univariate OR calculations were performed to identify potential risk factors. Multiple logistic regression was used to calculate adjusted ORs and identify independent risk factors. RESULTS: We included 192 patients treated from 2011 to 2020. There were 169 (88.0) males. The mean interquartile range, (IQR) of age, was 27 (22-35) years. Gunshot injuries occurred in 155 subjects (80.7%). Mean (IQR) NISS and ATI were 29 (18-44) and 17 (10-27), respectively. Thoracic AIS was > 3 in 38 patients (19.8%). Hollow viscus was injured in 105 cases (54.7%): stomach in 65 (33.9%), colon in 52 (27.1%), small bowel in 42 (21.9%), and duodenum in 10 (5.2%). Visible contamination was found in 76 patients (39.6%). Potential thoracic contamination was managed with a chest tube in 128 cases (66.7%), with transdiaphragmatic pleural lavage in 42 (21.9%), and with video-assisted thoracoscopy surgery or thoracotomy in 22 (11.5%). Empyema occurred in 11 patients (5.7%). Multiple logistic regression identified thoracic AIS > 3 (OR 6.4, 95% CI 1.77-23. 43), and visible contamination (OR 5.13, 95% IC 1.26-20.90) as independent risk factors. The individual organ injured, or the method used to manage the thoracic contamination did not affect the risk of posttraumatic empyema. CONCLUSION: The severity of the thoracic injury and the presence of visible abdominal contamination were identified as independent risk factors for empyema after penetrating diaphragmatic trauma.

Resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta in civilian pre-hospital care: a systematic review of the literature.

BACKGROUND: Resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta (REBOA) is a damage control tool with a potential role in the hemodynamic resuscitation of severely ill patients in the civilian pre-hospital setting. REBOA ensures blood flow to vital organs by early proximal control of the source of bleeding. However, there is no consensus on the use of REBOA in the pre-hospital setting. This article aims to perform a systematic review of the literature about the feasibility, survival, indications, complications, and potential candidates for civilian pre-hospital REBOA. METHODS: A literature search was conducted using Medline, EMBASE, LILACS and Web of Science databases. Primary outcome variables included overall survival and feasibility. Secondary outcome variables included complications and potential candidates for endovascular occlusion. RESULTS: The search identified 8 articles. Five studies described the use of REBOA in pre-hospital settings, reporting a total of 47 patients in whom the procedure was attempted. Pre-hospital REBOA was feasible in 68-100% of trauma patients and 100% of non-traumatic patients with cardiac arrest. Survival rates and complications varied widely. Pre-hospital REBOA requires a coordinated and integrated emergency health care system with a well-trained and equipped team. The remaining three studies performed a retrospective analysis identifying 784 potential REBOA candidates. CONCLUSIONS: Pre-hospital REBOA could be a feasible intervention for a significant portion of severely ill patients in the civilian setting. However, the evidence is limited. The impact of pre-hospital REBOA should be assessed in future studies.

How to identify patients who require aortic vascular control in placenta accreta spectrum disorders?

BACKGROUND: The placenta accreta spectrum disorder may lead to severe complications. Helpful interventions to prevent placenta accreta spectrum bleeding include vascular control procedures in the aorta or pelvic vessels. Although these procedures are related to lower intraoperative bleeding, they are associated with complications, so the possibility of selecting patients at highest risk of bleeding while avoiding vascular procedures for all cases is attractive. OBJECTIVE: We describe an intraoperative staging protocol whose objective is to identify the need to use vascular control procedures in patients with placenta accreta spectrum. We also describe the results of its application in a placenta accreta spectrum referral hospital. STUDY DESIGN: This descriptive, retrospective study included patients with suspected prenatal placenta accreta spectrum treated at a referral center for placenta accreta spectrum between April 2016 and June 2020. The use of the resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta allowed the prevention and treatment of excessive bleeding; its application was performed according to 3 approaches: (1) presurgical use in all placenta accreta spectrum patients (Group 1), (2) according to the prenatal placenta accreta spectrum topography (Group 2), and (3) according to the "intraoperative staging" (Group 3). In addition, the frequency of use of resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta and the clinical results in the management of placenta accreta spectrum were described in the 3 groups. RESULTS: Seventy patients underwent surgery for a prenatal suspicion of placenta accreta spectrum. Of these, 16 underwent intraoperative staging (Group 3); in 20 cases, resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta was used based on the prenatal imaging topographic classification (Group 2), and in the remaining 34 patients (Group 1), it was always used before the laparotomy. The frequency of use of resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta was progressively lower in Groups 1 (32 patients, 94.1% of cases), 2 (11 patients, 75% of cases), and 3 (4 patients, 25% of cases). Similarly, resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta went from being applied predominantly before the laparotomy (all cases in Group 1) to being applied after intraoperative staging (all cases in Group 3). The percentage of endovascular devices applied but not used, decreased from 23.5% in Group 1 to 0% in Group 3. Complications related to the resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta were seen in 4 patients (2 women in Group 1, and 1 woman each in Groups 2 and 3). CONCLUSION: The "intraoperative staging" of placenta accreta spectrum allows the optimization of the use of resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta, which decreases the frequency of its use without increasing the volume of blood loss.

Safety of performing a delayed anastomosis during damage control laparotomy in patients with destructive colon injuries.

BACKGROUND: Recent studies report the safety and feasibility of performing delayed anastomosis (DA) in patients undergoing damage control laparotomy (DCL) for destructive colon injuries (DCIs). Despite accumulating experience in both civilian and military trauma, questions regarding how to best identify high-risk patients and minimize the number of anastomosis-associated complications remain. Our current practice is to perform a definitive closure of the colon during DCL, unless there is persistent acidosis, bowel wall edema, or evidence of intra-abdominal abscess. In this study, we evaluated the safety of this approach by comparing outcomes of patients with DCI who underwent definitive closure of the colon during DCL versus patients managed with colostomy with or without DCL. METHODS: We performed a retrospective chart review of patients with penetrating DCI during 2003 to 2009. Severity of injury, surgical management, and clinical outcome were assessed. RESULTS: Sixty patients with severe gunshot wounds and three patients with stab wounds were included in the analysis. DCL was required in 30 patients, all with gunshot wounds. Three patients died within the first 48 hours, three underwent colostomy, and 24 were managed with DA. Thirty-three patients were managed with standard laparotomy: 26 patients with primary anastomosis and 7 with colostomy. Overall mortality rate was 9.5%. Three late deaths occurred in the DCL group, and only one death was associated with an anastomotic leak. CONCLUSIONS: Performing a DA in DCI during DCL is a reliable and feasible approach as long as severe acidosis, bowel wall edema, and/or persistent intra-abdominal infections are not present.

Damage control in the intensive care unit: what should the intensive care physician know and do?

Damage control surgery has transformed the management of severely injured trauma patients. It was initially described as a three-step process that included bleeding control, abdominal cavity contamination, and resuscitation in the intensive care unit (ICU) before definitive repair of the injuries. When the patient is admitted into the ICU, the physician should identify all the physiological alterations to establish resuscitation management goals. These strategies allow an early correction of trauma-induced coagulopathy and hypoperfusion increasing the likelihood of survival. The objective of this article is to describe the physiological alterations in a severely injured trauma patient who undergo damage control surgery and to establish an adequate management approach. The physician should always be aware and correct the hypothermia, acidosis, coagulopathy and hypocalcemia presented in the severely injured trauma patients.

Cuando el paciente de trauma ingresa a la unidad de cuidado intensivo después de una cirugía de control de daños, generalmente aún presenta algún grado de hemorragia, hipoperfusión y lesiones que requieren reparo definitivo. La evaluación por parte del intensivista del grado de severidad de tales alteraciones, y las repercusiones sistémicas, permitirán establecer las necesidades de reanimación, prever potenciales complicaciones y hacer los ajustes al tratamiento con el fin de minimizar la morbilidad y mortalidad asociada al trauma. El objetivo de este artículo es describir las alteraciones que presentan los pacientes con trauma severo manejados con cirugía de control de daños y las consideraciones a tener en cuenta para su abordaje terapéutico. Se presentan los aspectos más relevantes del manejo del paciente con trauma severo y cirugía de control de daños a su ingreso a la UCI. El intensivista debe conocer las alteraciones fisiológicas que puede presentar el paciente de trauma sometido a cirugía de control de daños, especialmente las causadas por la hemorragia masiva. La evaluación de estas alteraciones, de la severidad del sangrado y del estado de choque, y estimar en qué punto de la reanimación se encuentra el paciente a su ingreso a la unidad de cuidados intensivos son fundamentales para definir la estrategia de monitoria y soporte a seguir. La corrección de la hipotermia, la acidosis y la coagulopatía es la prioridad en el tratamiento del paciente con trauma severo.

Damage control approach to refractory neurogenic shock: a new proposal to a well-established algorithm.

Resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta (REBOA) is commonly used as an adjunct to resuscitation and bridge to definitive control of non-compressible torso hemorrhage in patients with hemorrhagic shock. It has also been performed for patients with neurogenic shock to support the central aortic pressure necessary for cerebral, coronary and spinal cord perfusion. Although volume replacement and vasopressors are the cornerstones of the management of neurogenic shock, we believe that a REBOA can be used as an adjunct in carefully selected cases to prevent prolonged hypotension and the risk of further anoxic spinal cord injury. This manuscript aims to propose a new damage control algorithmic approach to refractory neurogenic shock that includes the use of a REBOA in Zone 3. There are still unanswered questions on spinal cord perfusion and functional outcomes using a REBOA in Zone 3 in trauma patients with refractory neurogenic shock. However, we believe that its use in these case scenarios can be beneficial to the overall outcome of these patients.

El Balón de Resucitación Endovascular de Oclusión Aórtica (REBOA) se utiliza habitualmente como complemento de la reanimación y como puente para el control definitivo de la hemorragia no compresible del torso en pacientes con shock hemorrágico. También se ha implementado en pacientes con choque neurogénico para mantener la presión aórtica central necesaria para la perfusión cerebral, coronaria y de la médula espinal. Aunque la reanimación hídrica y el uso de vasopresores son los pilares en el manejo del choque neurogénico, el REBOA puede utilizarse como complemento en casos cuidadosamente seleccionados para evitar la hipotensión prolongada y el riesgo de una lesión medular anóxica mayor. El objetivo de este artículo es proponer un algoritmo para el abordaje y manejo del choque neurogénico refractario que incluye el uso del REBOA en Zona III como estrategia para el control de daños. Todavía existen interrogantes respecto a la perfusión de la médula espinal y aún se cuestionan los resultados funcionales con el uso del REBOA en pacientes con trauma y choque neurogénico refractario. No obstante, se cree que el uso adecuado del REBOA en determinados escenarios puede mejorar los resultados globales de estos pacientes.

Hybrid trauma service: on the leading edge of damage Control.

Trauma damage control seeks to limit life-threatening bleeding. Sequential diagnostic and therapeutic approaches are the current standard. Hybrid Room have reduced hemostasis time by integrating different specialties and technologies. Hybrid Rooms seek to control bleeding in an operating room equipped with specialized personnel and advanced technology including angiography, tomography, eFAST, radiography, endoscopy, infusers, cell retrievers, REBOA, etc. Trauma Hybrid Service is a concept that describes a vertical work scheme that begins with the activation of Trauma Code when admitting a severely injured patient, initiating a continuous resuscitation process led by the trauma surgeon who guides transfer to imaging, angiography and surgery rooms according to the patient's condition and the need for specific interventions. Hybrid rooms integrate different diagnostic and therapeutic tools in one same room, reducing the attention time and increasing all interventions effectiveness.

El control de daños en trauma busca limitar el sangrado que amenaza la vida. El enfoque diagnóstico y terapéutico secuenciales son el estándar actual. Las salas híbridas que integran especialidades y tecnologías han reducido el tiempo de hemostasia. Las salas híbridas buscan controlar el sangrado en un quirófano equipado con personal especializado y tecnología de punta como sistemas de angiografía, tomografía, eFAST, radiografía, endoscopia, infusores, recuperadores de células, REBOA, etc. El concepto del servicio hibrido de atención de trauma integra un trabajo vertical que inicia con la activación del código de trauma al admitir un paciente traumatizado grave, iniciando los esfuerzos de reanimación dirigida por el cirujano de trauma que orienta el traslado a salas de imágenes, angiografía y cirugía según la condición del paciente y la necesidad de intervenciones específicas. Las salas hibridas le permite al cirujano de trauma tener todas estas herramientas tanto diagnosticas como terapéuticas al alcance de una sola sala, reduciendo el tiempo de atención y aumentando la efectividad de las intervenciones realizadas.